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Ritzter13
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 Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2014 3:09 pm |
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| welcoming committee |
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Joined: Wed Apr 18, 2012 1:13 pm
Posts: 466
Location: Grand Blanc, Michigan
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I'm in the market for a tablet. I am looking for some feed back and recommendations from anyone that has owned one. The Surface Pro 3 looks intriguing as does the Asus - Transformer Book Flip Tablet. The one prerequisite is there must be a USB port. I want to use this when traveling to upload pictures from my camera card among other usages too. Thanks for your help. ASUS TransformerSurface Pro 3
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Terry
It just goes to show you, it's always something. If it's not one thing it's another!
_Rosanne Rosannadanna
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sboots
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Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2014 9:05 pm |
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Joined: Tue Apr 10, 2012 9:48 pm
Posts: 2961
Location: New Jersey
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Surface Pro 3 is a fantastic device -- way more than a tablet as it can function as a full laptop replacement. It is pricey, though, as you are paying a premium for a superb build and lots of power. The keyboard is extra -- and get the Type version, not the touch one. I have the original Surface RT and had the original Surface Pro. I didn't get the Surface 2.
I can't speak for the Asus device, but it has gotten decent reviews.
_________________ stephen boots Microsoft MVP 2004 - 2020 "Life's always an adventure with computers!"
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MacDuffie
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Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2014 11:22 pm |
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Joined: Wed Mar 21, 2012 5:42 am
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sboots
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Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2014 9:29 pm |
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Joined: Tue Apr 10, 2012 9:48 pm
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Location: New Jersey
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Ritzter13
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Posted: Thu Dec 04, 2014 12:48 pm |
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Joined: Wed Apr 18, 2012 1:13 pm
Posts: 466
Location: Grand Blanc, Michigan
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Thank you Patty and Steve for your input and the reference reading material.
Patty what's the difference (improvements??) between the RT and the Pro 3 version. Have you tried the Pro 3?
Currently running Win 7 Pro 64 bit SP1 on my home systems. Will the Surface Pro 3 Win 8.1 go on the same network/homegroup and be accessible?
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Terry
It just goes to show you, it's always something. If it's not one thing it's another!
_Rosanne Rosannadanna
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sboots
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Posted: Thu Dec 04, 2014 6:19 pm |
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Joined: Tue Apr 10, 2012 9:48 pm
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Location: New Jersey
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Surface RT runs Windows RT, not full Windows 8.x as is running on the Surface Pro 3. You cannot install desktop programs on Windows RT.
Yes, the Surface Pro 3 can join the homegroup (as can a Windows RT device).
-steve
_________________ stephen boots Microsoft MVP 2004 - 2020 "Life's always an adventure with computers!"
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jaylach
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Posted: Fri Dec 05, 2014 2:28 am |
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Joined: Wed Mar 21, 2012 5:09 am
Posts: 9495
Location: The state of confusion; I just use Wyoming for mail.
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Just curious. If known, could you wipe a Surface RT and do a clean install of Win 8.1?
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sboots
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Posted: Fri Dec 05, 2014 7:49 am |
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Location: New Jersey
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jaylach wrote: Just curious. If known, could you wipe a Surface RT and do a clean install of Win 8.1? No.. the hardware for RT is ARM and Windows 8 runs on the Intel architecture. -steve _________________ stephen boots Microsoft MVP 2004 - 2020 "Life's always an adventure with computers!"
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MacDuffie
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Posted: Fri Dec 05, 2014 10:21 am |
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Joined: Wed Mar 21, 2012 5:42 am
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Terry, I have no interest in the entire Surface Pro line as tablets. I love the RT. It's an enclosed ecosystem, like the iPad or Android tablets. Surface Pro is not. If you want to install programs, you go to the Pro line. If apps from the store are sufficient, the RT is for you. The RT is more secure as well.
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Patty MacDuffie
Computer Haven Administrator
Live Long and Prosper
Mr. Spock
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Ritzter13
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Posted: Fri Dec 05, 2014 11:54 am |
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Joined: Wed Apr 18, 2012 1:13 pm
Posts: 466
Location: Grand Blanc, Michigan
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I knew I could count on you guys for reliable information. Patty not sure how I will go with my decision. I'll have to go to Best Buy to see, handle and drive a physical unit. This ought to be fun! 
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Terry
It just goes to show you, it's always something. If it's not one thing it's another!
_Rosanne Rosannadanna
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MacDuffie
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Posted: Fri Dec 05, 2014 11:07 pm |
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Joined: Wed Mar 21, 2012 5:42 am
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Indeed. New toys are always fun! (Unless they stop working. <G>)
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Patty MacDuffie
Computer Haven Administrator
Live Long and Prosper
Mr. Spock
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sboots
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Posted: Fri Dec 05, 2014 11:58 pm |
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Joined: Tue Apr 10, 2012 9:48 pm
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Location: New Jersey
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On the topic of security, the Surface Pro, running Windows 8.x, is prone to infection as any Windows PC will be. While Defender does a great job as a full antivirus program on Windows 8, it won't protect users from themselves.  I've yet to see an infected Windows RT system. I've seen people *think* the PC was infected with Ransomware, but these are simply full page web browser instances pretending to lock the PC. It is usually nothing more than a home page or search engine hijack. The inability to install anything except what is available from the Windows Store protects the OS in a big way. Apps running on Windows 8 in the "metro" (still can't get used to losing that name for the Store Apps environment on Windows 8.x and RT) environment are basically sandboxed -- quite secure. -steve -steve _________________ stephen boots Microsoft MVP 2004 - 2020 "Life's always an adventure with computers!"
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MacDuffie
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Posted: Sat Dec 06, 2014 12:58 am |
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Joined: Wed Mar 21, 2012 5:42 am
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My experience also, Steve. Quite remarkable, really.
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Patty MacDuffie
Computer Haven Administrator
Live Long and Prosper
Mr. Spock
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